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There are some very good I-H truck and Scout/Scout II forums online!  So, why would you want to join this one?

 

Well, for one thing, here's an opportunity to start a forum from the ground up, to build the kind of dialogue you like, and to know that there's oversight with credible, well-researched facts!

 

I have been a staunch I-H truck guy from early-on, having grown up in ranching country with an I-H dealership at its hub.  I know I-H trucks and the Scout from its earliest, slant-four models.  I even know the quirks and foibles of that earlier technology!  

 

As a footnote, many mature I-H folks know me for the OFF-ROAD Magazine 'Holy Moses!' tech columns in the '80s and '90s, when I fielded endless questions on 4x4s and always included International-Harvester trucks.  My comments once drew the attention of Gale Banks—he puzzled over my staunch support for a 1956 I-H S120 4x4...I had seen these trucks at work in the 'sixties.  

 

My respect for I-H pickups, the Travelall and the Scout II remain high to this day.  I'd like to hear your experiences and share mine, compare your 'Line Ticket' to others' equipment, even discuss modifications and upgrades—alongside the pure restoration tips and mechanical 'how-to' that many owners seek.

 

In my view, International-Harvester built some of the best light trucks ever, with in-house and outsourced components that were unrivaled.  These one-off, virtually hand-built light trucks often have no match.

 

If you join this forum, I've got a wall of bookcases with resource materials on repairs, restoration and technical data for I-H trucks and Scout models...Interested?  I'm ready to talk and share!

 

Moses

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  • 2 years later...

Moses

 

I just found your IH forum..  I sold my last Scout II that I did a complete nut & bolt off frame resto on.  I was not going to do this again until the CJ7 caught my eye and I could not say NO...

 

Anyway, I don't have any parts left as all went with the buyer of my 76, but I will post up some pics.  

 

Everything is new from the ground up, including a compete rebuild and blueprint of the engine, 30 over 196 4 Cyl. that ran like a sewing machine.. DUI distributor was the only mods on the engine,,  the seats are the same Corbeau Moab's that I am going to use in my New CJ7..  the dash was custom with autometer gauges,.,. When it was first done, it had 15" wheels with Super Swampers and it did not take me long to get tired of those tires..so, I sold the wheels & tires in the pictures and then reeplaced the 15" wheels with 16" as they are much more available and cheaper tire choices and used Cooper AT that were almost the same size as the original H78-15..  

 

Anyway, my Jeep will never be this nice as I am just going for an original driver,,,

 

TejasCJ&

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Wow, TejasCJ7...I've had a penchant for I-H trucks and the Scout 800 and Scout IIs forever!  Your restoration was truly extraordinary.  If I ever stumble onto a pristine, original 1980 model Scout II with the Nissan turbo-diesel engine, there will be no stopping me!

 

Your '76 was truly a gem, I have the greatest appreciation for the slant 4 I-H engines (152 and 196), they had all the torque needed to get the job done.  Yours was backed by a truck four-speed with compound low, and the off-road capability (would you really take it there?) could be great.  I've had friends with I-H Scouts, I grew up around the original Scout 80 and 800s at rural Nevada, I shepherded a fleet of light and medium duty trucks that included a half-dozen I-H pieces from the day, and among my all-time favorite pickups was my cousin's last-year I-H 1200 4x4.  Incredible equipment, the best the industry had to offer, I-H was a cut above the rest!

 

Hate to rub it in...I've had my share of Jeep 4x4s and a variety of Willys/Jeep projects over the years...Took my first driver's license exam in a CJ-5 F-head model...Despite a career that embraced and promoted Jeep, my 4x4 enthusiasm has always included the I-H Scout/Scout II and the Toyota FJ40 models.  The Scout II was the pinnacle of design and engineering for its era.  I-H went after the Jeep utility 4x4 market in 1960 with the modest 152-powered model '80' draft horse.  A decade later, the Scout II redefined utility 4x4s...

 

Moses 

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Moses

 

Since you are a IH addict like me, here is some more eye candy..

 

This is a 75 that we completely rebuilt, engine was 345 +.o30, Isky Cam, Alum Intake, Holley 600 Vac Second,.,2.5" Duals w/ H pipe, complete stock interior with new carpet, floors etc., AC, PS, PB on a 4" EZ Ride Lift on 33X12.50-15 and painted Hot Rodz Flatz Black..  

 

The Scout went to Brazil to be used on a rancho..  

 

Came out pretty good..  sounded very Bad A** hence the name Darth Vador :)

 

Gene 

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All I can say is, "Wow!"  You did some fantastic work on these Scout II 4x4s.  Really like the color treatment...

 

These vehicles were so underappreciated.  I grew up at rural, small town Nevada, and the Scout/Scout II was much a part of the local Reno/Carson City/Gardnerville-Minden and Lake Tahoe scene.  We saw these 4x4s work hard, recreate, compete in hill climbs and races, you name it.  Texas apparently was a similar stomping ground for 'Binders!

 

What made you move on to the Jeep CJ, Gene?  Were parts becoming an issue for these Scout IIs?  High restoration costs?

 

Moses

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When I sold the Tan Scout in the first pictures, I was not going to buy another old car or truck..

 

Then I saw the CJ ad and it was in Houston so I went to look because of the mileage...figuring it would not take much to make it a weekender/putt around open 4WD..And you know the result of that..

 

I stiill have an addiction for Scouts and if a deal popped up I would probably go look at it..  Also looking at a CJ8 in the area that is partially redone to stock and may be available.

 

With that said, the CJ is coming right along..  got new valve seals in, ZERO leak down by the way and the inside of the engine is clean as a whistle.  All smog stuff removed, Tranny shifting correctly, all fluids changed..  Drives very well..

 

I will be driving it this weekend..

 

Glad you liked the Darth Vador Scout.  little things like buffing color off the emblems so it would be all silver against the Flat Black really enhanced the look..

 

Thanks again for a great site,

 

Gene

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Like you hint, Gene, we've got the 'Binder bug!  Lots of history, great equipment, rural and commercial roots, industrial strength engines, innovative utility...I could go on!

 

We have travel trailer pulling plans, and what keeps me in the Ram 3500 (bought new in '04, an '05 model) is the beam front axle and the Cummins engine.  Otherwise, I'd be more than content with a pristine 392 or 345 V-8 powered I-H 1200 series 4x4.  Last of the bunch were the best, an open-knuckle front axle, disc front brakes, power steering and the pearls in the I-H Line Ticket offerings!

 

Moses

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  • 5 months later...

Hi there....I am just getting into the Scout out world....been in jeeps for a bit but now I have a 1973 scout 2...stock 305 and stock auto tranny (tf 727). Body has rust on rockers, a bit on the outer rear skins, rear corner and rear bed pan...other than that it is fairly solid. The tranny lower seals have been replaced but the uppers leak pretty significantly. Motor runs pretty strong with no smoke so that's good. My question is one of opinion.....I want to restore this to give to my son...he is 4 ....on his 16th birthday. The plan is to fix the rust, replace interior carpet and new seat fabric, swap out front and rear axes for one's with disk brakes and give it a paint job. Should I swap out the stock motor for something with parts more readily available(say a small block chevy) so when it needs fixing down the road they more accesible or should I keep the original. Trying to keep this thing under 10K in cost but I also have 12yrs to do it in. Just looking for option in and guidance from people who have done this before so I don't do wasteful things. Did this with a jeep in college and spent way more money than was necessary  doing unneeded things but this is a different animal as parts are not sure easy to find I guess.

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Hi, Super Chief, and welcome to the forums...I'm a strong Scout supporter and enjoy discussing these great vehicles.  The '73 Scout II is an optimal place to start.  You can convert to disc brakes (front at least) like many do, and the 304 I-H V-8 is bulletproof if you decide to keep it, likewise the Torqueflite transmission.

The main choice right now is whether to "restore" or lightly modify the vehicle or make it a resto-mod and total makeover buildup.  At these forums, you will find Jeep CJ vehicles that have gone down both paths:  relatively stock restoration versus a major powertrain and axle transformation.  I can build a case for both, but for my purposes, a lightly improved, perhaps mildly lifted vehicle would be the limit.  I like the Scout II in raw form and would not modify it greatly.

One of your decisions, whether to keep the 304 V-8 and Torqueflite 727, would be based on the engine's basic condition.  I would run a cylinder leak down test on it and note the oil pressure as well.  No knocks or rattles, proper cylinder seal and good valves and valve train condition would be desirable.  Here are my comments about leak down testing and engine condition diagnostics:  http://forums.4wdmechanix.com/topic/75-engine-diagnostics-compression-gauge-versus-a-cylinder-leak-down-tester/.

Happy to discuss any and all of your needs here.  There are extreme makeovers, like a late EFI GM engine and transmission with overdrive, etc.  Within your budget, however, I believe such a buildup would be unnecessary—unless the I-H 304 V-8 and transmission are in rough shape.

Moses

 

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Hey Moses,

How you been doing??  I have been going insane.. Old Age & Senility is my story and I Am Sticking To It!!!!!!!!'

Well, here is what I thought I had outgrown, but as said above, I guess it never goes away..

You know from previous posts that I bought a 2006 LJ while I still had the 78 CJ7.  So I traded the CJ7 for a 1967 Chevy C10, Short Bed Fleetside with the Panaromic Window option thinking I would like to do a little RestoMod on this truck..

Well, I just sold the Chevy and am going to look at another Scout II this weekend..  Plus I still have the LJ..which I kinda like, but it is NOT a Scout II...

I have come to the conclusion that I do like the IH Scout II the best of all the old stuff I have had and worked on.  Parts are a little harder to find, but not that hard..  Scout has more room in the seating area than any of the Jeeps or the Chevy C10.

To Super Chief, the IH designed & built 304 is a great engine... lots of grunt and if kept in good condition will go 200-300K miles..I prefer the 345 because I can make more HP but they are basically the same engine.  There is a bunch of folks that have replaced the IH engine with a GM, Ford or Mopar, but I really like the sound of a 345 with a little better cam, aluminum intake headers with duals and a decent 4BBL oe even EFI.. great grunt and sounds like a big block..  also as Moses says, the 727 TF is a very tough tranny..  remember, they put it behind the Hemi back in the day..

The axles should be Dana 44's F&R but I am not sure in 73 as my SII's have all been 75 or newer..  Disc brake kits are available several places.

Good luck with your build..

Thanks,

TejasCJ7

maybe I should change my handle to confused :)

Later, Gene

Edited by TejasCJ7
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Moses and Gene,

   Thank you for all of the good advice! The motor runs good from driving it but I will definitely run a compression /leak down test and see where it lands but my guess is that is should be ok. Will definitely keep it all intact and original. I do have 44s front and rear but more than likely I will swap out the front for a newer model...same size but one with discs already on it. My guess is that I can pick one up for less than the conversion kit and just do some minor fabrication to get it under the scout but we will see. The back will come later at some point. Any more pointers and tips you have are welcome...can never get to much input and advice when trying to learn a new subject. Thank you again for all the help! 

-Brannon-

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Brannon and Gene...There is a "thing" about the I-H Scout, and the Scout II is the pinnacle model.  As a technocrat, I-H is to my liking for its industrial quality and personalized "Line Ticket" component choices.  I-H spared no lengths when outsourcing axles, the braking components, steering and the transmission/transfer case.  Some would say AMC did this on the Jeep, and I would certainly agree with regard to the 1972-up J-truck and even 1976-86 CJs to a large degree.  Where I-H holds an edge is the frame, body and engine.  The Scout's roots in the ag community show through to its unfortunate end in 1980.  The Scout 800, 800A and Scout II were always no nonsense, light truck-based vehicles.

That said, I like Gene's idea about the 345 unless the 304 is in top condition and can be left as is or with slight improvements.  A 392 would be overkill and rather pointless with a 3-speed automatic.  Overdrive would be attractive but a spendy process, a Gear Vendors O.D. would be an option if they have a fit to the Spicer/Dana 20 transfer case output.  I would do an Advance Adapters Ranger Overdrive if the vehicle had a manual transmission.

In any case, there is clearly a cult following for I-H and for good reason.  This vehicle would do exceptionally well in today's 4x4 market.  I-H could do the industry a service and reintroduce a Scout III model with 266, 304 and 345 V-8 engines and fuel/emission efficient EFI/MPI.  Overdrive transmissions and a contemporary transfer case like the NV241OR RockTrac (Jeep Rubicon type) with 4:1 low range could round this out...I'm just sayin'.

And, Gene, it's neither old age nor senility that have you going full circle to a later Scout II.  It's just good sense.

Moses  

 

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